Fifth Quarter provides safe, post-game gathering place

After the Penn Manor High School football game against Warwick on October 18, many teens made their way to Crossway Church on Barbara Street for a safe, post-football-game hangout.

“It is the place to hangout after the home football games,” said Denis Mylin, the founder of Fifth Quarter and the youth leader of Millersville Bible Church.

Friday’s event ended the the 13th year Fifth Quarter has been in existence. Three churches, Millersville Bible, Crossway and Grace United Methodist alternate between weeks of home games to provide free food and a safe environment for the teens of Penn Manor.

According to Mylin, approximately 500 teens from the junior and senior high age groups attended the event.

Other services are also provided such as security and parking attendants.

Fifth Quarter is not at all sponsored by Penn Manor School District. The event founders choose to do this to “provide a service to the community and the students,” according to Mylin.

Outside donations have been accepted in the past from places like John Herr’s and Darrenkamps, but only the churches are allowed to volunteer due to the need for safety and trust.

A highlight of the night is always the deep fried Oreos. (Photo by Douaa Jellouf)

A freshman at Penn Manor, Laura Buckwalter, said that she enjoyed Fifth Quarter because “We get free food, and we don’t have to buy the fries at the game.”

Many others agreed with Laura that the french fries, hotdogs, fried oreos and drinks are all the highlight of their night. But the students aren’t the only ones welcome; parents are encouraged to come and eat while waiting to pick up their kids. Many parents like that they know where teens are and that they’re safe. Another plus to parents is that the students are to leave by 10:45 p.m. in order for those with junior licenses to be home by the 11 p.m. curfew.